Michigan motorcycle permit test numbers to know
Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 25 Michigan numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.
Numbers quiz
12 questions a round from the 14 number questions in our Michigan bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.
Free and unlimited. Your answers count toward your readiness and mistake review.
Numbers flashcards
14 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.
Each deck starts with 20 free cards. Swipe right if you knew it, left to see it again.
See 3 of the cards
Alcohol & drugs
Under Michigan's drunk driving laws, what happens to your license after a first drunk driving conviction?
A six-month suspension, with a possible restricted license after 30 days
Michigan requires a six-month driver's license suspension even for a first drunk driving conviction.
Fines, points & penalties
What is the penalty for a first violation of riding a motorcycle in Michigan without the required endorsement?
A civil infraction with a civil fine of up to $250
A first offense of riding without a motorcycle endorsement is a civil infraction with a fine of not more than $250.
Distances & following gaps
Under Michigan's equipment law, a motorcycle horn must be audible under normal conditions from at least how far away?
200 feet
Michigan requires a motorcycle horn in good working order that can be heard from at least 200 feet under normal conditions, without being unreasonably loud or harsh.
Every Michigan motorcycle number, by topic
Official Michigan laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.
Alcohol & drugs
6 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08% | Legal BAC limit for adult drivers | legislature.mi.govQuoteThe person has an alcohol content of 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine |
| 0.02% | BAC limit for underage drivers | legislature.mi.govQuoteAn alcohol content of 0.02 grams or more but less than 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood |
| 0.04% | BAC limit in a commercial vehicle | legislature.mi.govQuotewho has an alcohol content of 0.04 grams or more but less than 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood |
| 1 year, 2 years, 7 years | Drunk driving (DUI)Implied-consent refusal without a successful hearing: license suspended 1 year (2 years for a second refusal within 7 years) | legislature.mi.govQuotesuspend or deny the person's operator's or chauffeur's license or permit to drive, or nonresident operating privilege, for 1 year or, for a second or subsequent refusal within 7 years, for 2 years. |
| six-month, 30 days | Under Michigan's drunk driving laws, what happens to your license after a first drunk driving conviction?Answer: A six-month suspension, with a possible restricted license after 30 days | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 18QuoteRequire a six-month driver’s license suspension, even for a first conviction. Driver may be eligible to receive a restricted license after serving 30 days of the suspension. |
| two hours | On a long ride, how often does the manual suggest stopping to get off the motorcycle?Answer: About every two hours, or as needed | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 69QuoteTake frequent rest breaks – Stop and get off the motorcycle every two hours or as needed. |
Fines, points & penalties
2 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $250 | What is the penalty for a first violation of riding a motorcycle in Michigan without the required endorsement?Answer: A civil infraction with a civil fine of up to $250 | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 17Quote(a) For a first violation, the individual is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $250.00. |
| $20,000 | For a rider 21 or older to ride without a helmet in Michigan, how much first-party medical benefit coverage must be in effect?Answer: At least $20,000 | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 19QuoteHave at least $20,000 in first party medical benefits |
Distances & following gaps
3 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 200 feet | Under Michigan's equipment law, a motorcycle horn must be audible under normal conditions from at least how far away?Answer: 200 feet | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 20Quotecapable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet |
| Four seconds | What following distance does the manual recommend for new motorcycle riders in normal conditions?Answer: Four seconds | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 45Quoteoperators try to maintain a four second following distance behind the vehicle |
| Five seconds | You are riding at 45 mph on slippery pavement in heavy traffic. What following distance should you open up?Answer: Five seconds or more | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 45Quoteup a five second or more following |
Ages, permits & the test
8 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $16 | Fee | michigan.govQuoteSuccessful completion of a motorcycle rider education course or the written knowledge test and motorcycle skills test is required. A motorcycle rider education course is required for teens ages 16-17 and for adults who fail the motorcycle skills test twice. |
| 180 days | Motorcycle permit180 days | legislature.mi.govQuoteto operate a motorcycle on the public streets and highways for a period of 180 days under the following conditions |
| 10-year | Motorcycle permitNo more than 2 motorcycle TIPs in a 10-year period | legislature.mi.govQuoteThe applicant shall not be eligible for more than 2 motorcycle temporary instruction permits in a 10-year period. |
| aged 18 | Motorcycle permitConstant visual supervision by a licensed motorcycle operator aged 18 or older | legislature.mi.govQuoteon receiving proper application from an individual 16 or 17 years of age who is enrolled in or has successfully completed an approved motorcycle safety course under section 811a, or an individual who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license |
| aged 16-17 | Motorcycle permitRiders aged 16-17 must be enrolled in or have completed an approved motorcycle safety course to get a TIP and must pass the course to get the endorsement | legislature.mi.govQuoteon receiving proper application from an individual 16 or 17 years of age who is enrolled in or has successfully completed an approved motorcycle safety course under section 811a, or an individual who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license |
| 180 days | How long is a Michigan motorcycle temporary instruction permit (TIP) valid?Answer: 180 days | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 9QuoteA TIP is valid for 180 days and is required for the rider skills test. |
| age 18 | Who must supervise you while you ride on a Michigan motorcycle TIP?Answer: A licensed motorcycle operator age 18 or older who keeps you in constant view | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 9QuoteRide under the constant visual supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years old. |
| At least 18 | To earn a Michigan motorcycle endorsement through the rider skills test at a driver testing business (instead of a rider education course), how old must you be?Answer: At least 18 | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 8Quoterider skills test offered through a driver testing business, you must: • Be at least age 18. |
Seat belts, lights & equipment
5 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| under 19 | HelmetsMoped operators under 19 must wear a helmet | legislature.mi.govQuoteA person less than 19 years of age operating a moped on a public thoroughfare shall wear a crash helmet on his or her head. |
| 35 mph | HelmetsEye protection is required above 35 mph without a windshield | legislature.mi.govQuoteWhen a motorcycle operated on the public highways of this state in excess of 35 miles per hour is not equipped with a windshield, the operator shall wear goggles with transparent lenses or a transparent face shield or eyeglasses |
| under 21 | A 19-year-old has held a CY endorsement for three years and carries extra medical insurance. Must she wear a helmet when riding in Michigan?Answer: Yes, every rider under 21 must wear a helmet | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 19QuoteTaking a state-approved rider skills test. (Michigan.gov/Motorcycletest) • Under the age of 21. |
| two years | A 30-year-old got his CY endorsement last month through the skills test, with no rider course, and has $20,000 in first-party medical benefits. May he legally ride without a helmet?Answer: No, he also needs two years with the endorsement or a passed rider course | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 19QuoteA motorcycle helmet is not required if you are age 21 or older and you: • Have had your motorcycle endorsement (CY) for longer than two years or have passed a state approved motorcycle rider education course. |
| 32 inch | Under Michigan's tire law, what is the minimum allowable tread depth for motorcycle tires?Answer: 1/32 inch, front and rear | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 21QuoteMotorcycle and moped: 1/32-inch front and rear. |
Other numbers
1 number
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 70 percent | When used correctly, about how much of your total stopping power does the front brake provide?Answer: 70 percent or more | Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 40Quoteprovide 70 percent your total stopping power, therefore, use of the front |
Memory tips
How to study them (our advice, not official rules):
- Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
- Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
- Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.
Questions about the numbers
What numbers do I need to know for the Michigan motorcycle permit test?
Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 25 of them for Michigan, each with its source.
Why focus on numbers?
A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.
Where do these numbers come from?
Each one is quoted from the Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), Michigan statutes or SOS pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.
Is the numbers drill free?
Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.